Sample: The Point of First Contact

A good start is the first step towards a good finish. This rule applies to testing also. Good sampling technique ensures good results. A lot of times a badly withdrawn sample becomes the bane of the testing lab. We at Analiz Labs take extreme care that a sample is withdrawn in a proper, authentic fashion and handled most professionally. Meticulously designed protocols and steps, specially designed to eliminate any chance of error, are strictly implemented and followed. These checks are listed for the knowledge of the patient below.

1. Data accession: Accession and catalogue management is done by trained data operators. The data list and registry follows the latest relational procedures so that the information of each patient is available at each data window for complete and thorough indexing. All entries are triple-checked to ensure an error-less register. All out-station samples are triple-checked with the collecting lab, and each collecting station is independently indexed and listed.

2. Sample collection: A person who draws a sample is called a phlebotomist. The lab employs experienced phlebotomists for the collection of samples. The patient's health and ease are given utmost priority, and all syringes, needles, sharps and other instruments of an invasive nature are preferably used disposable; where reusable instruments and gadgets are used, we take utmost care about sterilization and an aseptic environment. There is a dedicated room for phlebotomy, disinfected twice a day to maintain an infection-free environment. After sampling, all samples are properly stored in vacutainers with full precautions about sterility. A paediatric phlebotomist is available for children. The sample collection protocol is available for patients to read, and can be asked for from the phlebotomist.

3. Sample care & caution: All samples are cared for and cautiously managed for processing and storage. Specially designated staff handle samples, check quality and integrity, and label, mark and register them for confusion-free management. The lab follows a carefully drafted policy as a basis for sample acceptance and rejection. Labelling and numbering is a tedious process, handled with utmost care, and forms the basis of proper accession and cataloguing.

4. Sample transport: A concise guide to the lab's sampling procedures is available at reception and can be asked for from the receptionist, covering collection, preparation, storage and transport. Different samples require different handling procedures according to the tests involved. All sensitive and labile samples are collected at the laboratory only — we discourage home collections, since transportation can reduce sample quality and affect results. Home samples are carried in proper cool boxes with thermo-gels, viable for 3–4 hours of transit. For outstation samples or longer transit, we maintain cold chain with refrigerated sample transport from trusted couriers.

5. Processing, storage, dispatch: Samples are processed as quickly as possible to retain quality. Many time-sensitive samples are immediately put to testing and grading; others are handled per standard laboratory protocol — for example, serum or plasma is separated from formed elements within 30 minutes. The lab maintains the infrastructure needed to store samples at ambient, cool and frozen temperatures as required. After processing and storage, samples are monitored right through dispatch to the testing arena, where the chief analyst assesses each sample's suitability for testing before it proceeds, for the purpose of quality and accuracy.